Seabata Mahao
The Sri Lankan community in Lesotho, through the Lankasia Cricket Club, recently hosted a highly successful LPL 2024 T20 tournament, which started with a league format and culminated in a thrilling final.
Lankasia Cricket Club is more than just a sports team—it represents unity, passion, and talent within the Sri Lankan community in Lesotho.
The tournament saw the Maseru Super Kings Cricket Club crowned champions, defeating the Rising Stars Maseru in a fiercely contested final. The two teams emerged victorious after competing against teams like Basotho XI,Scorpions,Lankasia,Pak 11, and Kokni Cricket from Leribe.
The winners, Maseru Super Kings, walked away with a cash prize of M15,000, a revolving trophy, and medals. Other prizes were also awarded to standout performers throughout the tournament.
In an exclusive interview, Lebona Leokaoke, Liaison Officer of the Sri Lankan Community, expressed his excitement about the event.
“This was a one-of-a-kind final,” he said.
“We originally planned to have the trophy launched by a helicopter, but due to last-minute inconveniences, we opted to release 1,000 balloons instead to kick off the match at 11:00.”
The tournament was more than just cricket; it was a celebration of cultural diversity.
“We had food stalls representing various cultures, including Indian, Lankasian, Pakistani, Basotho, and Filipino cuisine,” explained Leokaoke.
Additionally, there were cultural clothing stalls and entertainment for children, creating a family-friendly atmosphere.
Leokaoke hinted at even bigger events in the future, noting that a larger tournament, which will include South African cricket teams, is planned in the coming months.
“It’s been a busy three weeks preparing for this event, but we’re thrilled with how it turned out,” he said.
During a recent interview, Sabeer Nazir from the Sri Lankan community reflected on the sense of family and dedication that has grown around the Lankasia Cricket Club.
“We have built something special here. With the support of the Sri Lankan community, we have not only grown stronger as cricketers but also as a family. As we look to the future, we remain committed to uplifting new players and representing our roots with pride,” Nazir said.
He also expressed hopes for the club’s continued success and confirmed that the tournament will be an annual event.
Following the final match, Mohamed Salman Patel, captain of the Maseru Super Kings, expressed his pride in his team.
“I’m extremely happy and proud of our performance,” he said.
Salman emphasised that the team’s success was due to their commitment to following a well-thought-out strategy throughout the tournament.
The tournament attracted a significant delegation and, impressively, admission was free for all, ensuring that the event was accessible to the broader community.
